Chapter Summaries

Hiruzen Sarutobi reflected on his reputation and argued that he had been a capable Hokage who inherited a divided village, won three wars, and advanced the Will of Fire. He defended his decisions regarding Danzo, Hizashi, Sakumo, and the Uchiha, leaving the Uchiha massacre as the one matter he said he had never regretted.

• Hiruzen recalled how Tobirama's death and the power struggles among Konoha's veteran clans had made his own rise to Hokage difficult.
• Hiruzen's account credited him with building on Tobirama's institutions, promoting the Will of Fire, training successive generations of ninja, and leading Konoha through three Shinobi World Wars.
• Hiruzen argued that Danzo had loved Konoha despite his ruthless methods, and that Hiruzen could not have known or approved every action Danzo took.
• Hiruzen defended himself over Hizashi's death, saying the Hyuga clan had chosen to sacrifice Hizashi while Hiruzen was still considering how to respond to Cloud's threat.
• Hiruzen said Sakumo's death had been beyond his control and that he had tried to prevent Sakumo from being pushed into power by rival clans.
• Hiruzen insisted that he had never regretted the Uchiha clan's extermination, calling it the political precedent Tobirama had left behind.

Gawain met Naruto while the boy was painting Hokage Rock and treated him with unexpected affection, claiming to be his grandfather. The Anbu mistook Gawain’s gold-shaping for Sand shinobi Magnet Release and rushed to alert Hiruzen Sarutobi.

• Gawain slipped into Konoha with a merchant caravan and headed toward Hokage Rock while Anbu agents followed him.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi learned that Naruto had spent his allowance on paint and planned to visit him and make him clean the monument.
• Naruto startled at Gawain’s greeting, fell from his rope, and was ordered by Anbu agents to go to the Hokage Tower.
• Gawain teleported beside Naruto, rubbed his head, called him his dear grandson, and fashioned a golden toad figure from his ornaments.
• The Anbu mistook Gawain’s display for Magnet Release and sent someone to warn Hiruzen Sarutobi that a Sand shinobi spy had targeted Naruto.

Gawain claimed Naruto as his grandson and took him to the Valley of the End, where he effortlessly defeated the Third Hokage, Kakashi, and Enma. He left Naruto stunned by his overwhelming strength while the Hokage and Kakashi remained unable to move.

• Naruto suspected Gawain was lying about being his grandfather, but Gawain said Naruto's parents had died and that he had returned too late to raise him.
• The Third Hokage confronted Gawain, mistook him for Rasa, and followed him through Yomotsu Hirasaka to the Valley of the End with Kakashi and other Anbu.
• Gawain placed Naruto on Madara Uchiha's statue and sent the pursuers to Hashirama Senju's statue, then dismissed the conflict between the statues as a family misfortune.
• Kakashi attacked with Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique while the Third Hokage used Scorching Steam Kill, but Gawain erased both attacks with a punch.
• Gawain seized Kakashi and Hiruzen, overwhelmed Enma with Conqueror's Haki, and used lightning to immobilize the two men.
• Gawain told Naruto he was stronger than the Hokage, leaving Naruto stunned by the defeat of the man he admired.

Gawain told Naruto, Hiruzen, Kakashi, and Kurama that he was the father of Hagoromo and Hamura, making him Naruto’s grandfather through Ashura’s lineage. After demonstrating overwhelming power, he persuaded Hiruzen to escort him and Naruto into Konoha, while the village’s clans began speculating about the political consequences of his arrival.

• Gawain restrained Hiruzen and Kakashi, then explained that he had arrived in the Shinobi World a thousand years earlier and fathered Hagoromo and Hamura with Kaguya.
• Gawain identified Naruto and Sasuke as reincarnations of his grandsons Ashura and Indra, and Naruto called him Grandpa before asking him to release Hiruzen and Kakashi.
• Gawain released Hiruzen and Kakashi, destroyed a vast forest with a punch, and instantly restored it with Wood Release.
• Gawain displayed the Byakugan and Mangekyo Sharingan, then asked Hiruzen to take him and Naruto to experience modern Shinobi World food.
• Hiruzen ordered the ANBU to stand down and presented Gawain as a powerful Konoha senior, while news of Gawain’s arrival spread among the village clans.
• Hiashi Hyūga and other clan leaders considered how Gawain’s arrival might affect Konoha’s power struggles and the next Hokage succession.

Gawain returned to Konoha with Naruto and announced that he would live in the village and train his grandsons in powerful techniques. After shopping and meeting Ino, Gawain headed with the Third Hokage toward Sasuke's home to bring his eldest grandson back.

• Gawain used Yomotsu Hirasaka to bring Naruto, the Third Hokage, and Kakashi back to Konoha, where he explained the technique and promised to teach Naruto powerful ninjutsu.
• Gawain told Naruto that he would teach him senjutsu and eventually help him gain a Kekkei Mōra, while Naruto excitedly accepted his offer.
• The Third Hokage introduced Gawain to Shikaku Nara as Naruto's grandfather and ordered arrangements for Gawain's home and for Jiraiya and Tsunade to return.
• Gawain bought a television and kitchenware with Naruto, then met Ino at the Yamanaka Clan's flower shop and gave her flowers.
• Gawain followed the Third Hokage toward Sasuke's home to bring back his eldest grandson.

Gawain settled into a villa in Konoha, then found Sasuke and claimed to be his grandfather, promising to fulfill any wish. He carried the embarrassed Sasuke through the village, where Sakura spotted them and became captivated by Gawain.

• Ino kept the bouquet Gawain had given her, and Gawain's group continued to the Hokage Building, where the Third Hokage arranged a villa for him.
• After Naruto explored the villa, Gawain left him watching television and went to Sasuke's home while Anbu monitored Sasuke.
• Sasuke attacked Gawain after seeing his Sharingan, but Gawain stopped the shuriken and told Sasuke he was his grandfather.
• Gawain carried Sasuke away, promising he could grant any wish, while Sasuke wondered whether Gawain truly had no opponent.
• Sasuke blushed as villagers teased him, and Sakura saw him on Gawain's shoulders before becoming captivated by Gawain's appearance.

Gawain brought Sasuke and Sakura to his estate, where Naruto's arrival exposed Gawain's role as the children's grandfather. As the children gathered around Gawain, Hiruzen and Danzo argued over whether to confront him, while Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado left to visit him.

• Gawain invited Sakura to join him and Sasuke, then took them to his estate.
• Naruto called Gawain Grandpa, startling Sasuke and Sakura, and argued with Sakura over Sasuke.
• Gawain summoned gold from the Hokage Tower and gathered Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura before him.
• Hiruzen warned Danzo that Gawain was too powerful to attack, but Danzo insisted Konoha needed plans to control or kill him.
• Danzo ordered Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado out of the Hokage's office, and they discussed his ambition and past sacrifices.
• Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado decided to visit Gawain, hoping to meet the mysterious senior.

Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado visited Gawain to learn about another history of the Shinobi World, and Gawain told them that Sasuke Uchiha and Naruto Uzumaki were brothers and reincarnations of Indra and Ashura. Meanwhile, Hiruzen refused Danzo’s plan to test or attack Gawain, leaving Danzo furious but under orders to stand down.

• Sakura mistook Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado for Gawain’s parents before learning they were Hokage advisors seeking an audience with him.
• Sasuke and Naruto wondered whether they were related to Gawain, and Gawain told them they were brothers, with Sasuke as the older brother, and that he was their grandfather.
• Gawain explained that Sasuke and Naruto were the current reincarnations of Indra and Ashura, following Madara Uchiha and Hashirama Senju.
• Danzo urged Hiruzen to send Root agents, including Hidden Mist spies, to test Gawain and shift blame for any attack onto the Hidden Mist Village.
• Hiruzen rejected Danzo’s plan and ordered him not to test or attack Gawain unless Gawain threatened Konoha’s civilians or shinobi.

Gawain trained Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura until they graduated and were assigned to Kakashi, while Hiruzen considered tying Gawain to Konoha as a potential successor. An explosion struck Gawain’s courtyard, drawing Hiruzen away as Mizuki slipped into the Hokage Tower.

• Koharu and Homura spoke cordially with Gawain before leaving him to train the three children.
• Gawain taught Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura tree climbing and water walking, and Naruto chose to stay at Gawain’s home while Sasuke was made to stay too.
• Naruto graduated successfully, and he, Sasuke, and Sakura were assigned to Kakashi, whom Naruto recognized from his defeat by Gawain.
• Hiruzen considered Gawain a potential Hokage successor who could help him suppress the influence of Konoha’s shinobi clans.
• An explosion struck Gawain’s courtyard, and Hiruzen rushed out to investigate while Mizuki slipped into the Hokage Tower.

Mizuki tried to exploit Naruto and attack Gawain’s courtyard to steal the Scroll of Seals, but Root captured him before he could act. Hiruzen blamed Danzo for the attack, leaving Danzo bewildered and insisting he had been framed.

• Mizuki planned to use Naruto’s exam failure to steal the Scroll of Seals and earn Orochimaru’s favor, but Naruto passed with an outstanding fourth-place score.
• Mizuki inferred that Gawain was an important figure and decided to cause an explosion at his courtyard to distract Konoha and damage its relationship with the Land of Fire.
• Mizuki planted at least eighty explosive tags around Gawain’s courtyard, then went to the Hokage Tower to steal the Scroll of Seals.
• Root captured Mizuki as Hiruzen and Anbu rushed to Gawain’s courtyard after the explosions.
• Hiruzen ordered Danzo brought to him, and Danzo realized he was being blamed for Mizuki’s attack despite having no part in it.

After Danzo’s explosive attack damaged Gawain’s courtyard, Hiruzen offered him the Hokage advisor position and a path to succeed him, and Gawain accepted while openly declaring his intention to become Hokage. Gawain took the Hokage’s seat in the tower, where Danzo arrived and found him sitting in the position he coveted.

• Gawain used magnetic force to clean his courtyard and Wood Release to restore the damaged flowers and grass, while Hiruzen proposed that he become Hokage’s advisor.
• Kakashi and the Anbu considered Gawain’s possible appointment, and Gawain accepted Hiruzen’s offer while admitting he intended to take the Hokage’s seat.
• Hiruzen said he would hand Danzo’s advisor position to Gawain and gradually dismantle Root, then accompanied Gawain to the Hokage Tower.
• Gawain sat in the Hokage’s chair, offered Hiruzen a metal chair and promised to share techniques with the village, and Hiruzen welcomed him.
• Danzo stormed into the office to challenge Hiruzen’s order, then froze when he saw Gawain sitting in the Hokage’s seat.

Gawain took control of Konoha’s leadership, stripped Danzo of his Hokage Advisor position, and sent him to the Valley of the End. Mizuki’s attack was exposed as the result of his resentment over being assigned to teach, while Koharu revealed that she had placed him at the Ninja Academy after suspecting he had framed a teammate; Mizuki was imprisoned and condemned to execution.

• Hiruzen, Koharu, and Homura backed Gawain as Hokage Advisor, and Gawain revoked Danzo’s advisor position before using Conqueror’s Haki and a black ripple to send him to the Valley of the End.
• Hiruzen arranged for Mizuki to be brought into the Hokage’s office so they could question him about attacking Gawain.
• Mizuki blamed Koharu for assigning him to the Ninja Academy, claiming the teaching post had ruined his chance to advance as a shinobi.
• Koharu explained that she had assigned Mizuki to teach two years earlier after suspecting he had framed a teammate for a failed mission, and that she had monitored his conduct since then.
• Koharu ordered the Anbu to imprison Mizuki, investigate whether he had collaborators, and execute him once the matter was clear.

At Ichiraku Ramen, Asuma criticized Gawain’s appointment as Hokage Advisor, only for Gawain to arrive with Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, and the Ino–Shika–Chō trio. Gawain joined the adults for ramen and teased Asuma about a mission involving missing cats, leaving Kurenai embarrassed by Asuma’s blunt explanation.

• Asuma complained to Kakashi and Kurenai that Gawain had become Hokage Advisor despite being young and lacking rank, while Kakashi avoided criticizing him.
• Gawain arrived at Ichiraku with six children, and Sasuke and Shikamaru reacted to Asuma’s remarks about him.
• Kurenai apologized for Asuma’s rudeness, and Gawain caught the cigarette Asuma tossed him before returning two packs and treating the children to food.
• Naruto ordered seven deluxe ramen bowls, and Choji ordered ten bowls and several servings of snacks for himself.
• Gawain sat beside Kurenai and told Asuma and the others that missing cats needed to be found, but Asuma claimed they had run off because they were in heat, embarrassing Kurenai.

Gawain declared that he would become Hokage and Kakashi defended the choice, arguing that Gawain’s overwhelming strength made him Konoha’s best option. The chapter ended with Jiraiya returning to Konoha and confronting Gawain, whom he suspected was the legendary emperor foretold by the Great Toad Sage.

• Gawain teased Asuma by serving Kurenai pork cutlet, then said he would accept the Hokage position for the sake of carrying out his plans.
• Kakashi stopped Asuma from challenging Gawain and explained that Gawain had defeated both him and the Third Hokage, while Gawain confirmed his extraordinary Wood Release.
• Kakashi argued that Gawain was the best choice to lead Konoha, and Kurenai agreed to trust Kakashi and the Third Hokage as she went to gather her team for training.
• After Kurenai left, Asuma followed strange sounds and saw Jiraiya confronting Gawain with Great Sage Fukasaku and Great Sage Shima on his shoulders.
• Jiraiya asked the two toads whether Gawain was the legendary emperor from ancient times whom the Great Toad Sage had foretold.

Gawain met the Great Toad Sage, who greeted him as the legendary Dragon King and confessed that Hagoromo and Hamura had defied his ancient orders to end the Shinobi World’s war. Gawain sent Jiraiya away to explain the encounter to Hiruzen, then remained alone with the Great Toad Sage.

• Fukasaku and Shima told Gawain that the Great Toad Sage had awakened and wanted to meet him, so Gawain agreed to go to the forest.
• Gawain left Naruto and Sasuke with their friends and joked that he might feed them roasted snakes, alarming the two toads.
• Jiraiya summoned the Great Toad Sage, who bowed to Gawain and apologized for Hagoromo and Hamura disobeying Gawain’s old commands to end the war.
• The Great Toad Sage pretended not to recognize Jiraiya, but Gawain saw through the act and sent Jiraiya to Hiruzen through Yomotsu Hirasaka.
• Jiraiya told Hiruzen that Gawain was the Sage of Six Paths’ father and warned that Konoha might face a threat it could not resist.

The Great Toad Sage told Gawain how Kaguya planted the Ten-Tails after decades of longing for him, how Hagoromo and Hamura imprisoned her on the moon, and how Indra and Ashura’s ideals shaped the shinobi world. Gawain resolved to rescue Kaguya by unifying the world as the Hidden Leaf’s Hokage, while wondering why Hagoromo had not appeared to meet him.

• The Great Toad Sage explained that Hagoromo and Hamura’s hesitation slowed the world’s unification, and Kaguya eventually planted the Ten-Tails hoping its Chakra Fruit would bring Gawain back.
• The Great Toad Sage recounted how Hagoromo and Hamura fought Kaguya for nine days and nights, imprisoned her within the moon, and how Indra and Ashura later fought over their opposing visions of peace.
• The Great Toad Sage described how Indra and Ashura’s conflict continued through reincarnation, culminating in Madara Uchiha and Hashirama Senju’s rivalry at the Valley of the End.
• Gawain decided to rescue Kaguya and unify the Shinobi World through legitimate means as the Hokage of the Hidden Leaf Village, then wondered whether Hagoromo was occupied fighting Jigen in the Pure Land.
• Gawain sent the Great Toad Sage back to Mount Myōboku, where the sage briefly returned to his muddled state and Fukasaku and Shima decided to pretend not to notice.

Hiruzen decided to hand the Hokage position to Gawain, who planned to pursue the unification of the Shinobi World while limiting casualties. After Gawain dismissed Danzo from the Hokage office, Danzo turned to his secret ally Orochimaru, who found the news of Gawain’s arrival intriguing.

• Hiruzen told Jiraiya he would choose Gawain as the next Hokage, explaining that he was too old to wait and that Gawain could transcend fate.
• Hiruzen and Jiraiya approached Gawain, who confirmed his identity as Hagoromo’s father and said he would continue his ancient mission to unify the Shinobi World.
• Gawain said he would use Impure World Reincarnation to have the dead fight for future peace, then brought Hiruzen and Jiraiya back to the Hokage Tower.
• Gawain ordered Danzo to leave the Hokage office and confined him and Root to their headquarters unless they received orders.
• Danzo sent a letter to Orochimaru seeking to remove Gawain, and Orochimaru reacted with interest to the news.

Rasa, Danzo, and Orochimaru formed an alliance around the Konoha Crush Plan, though Orochimaru secretly intended to give Hiruzen a glorious death in battle rather than destroy Konoha. In Konoha, Gawain assigned Kakashi and Asuma’s teams a secret S-rank mission against Zabuza, then agreed to lead the jōnin corps as Sand Village prepared to co-host the Chūnin Exams.

• Rasa accepted Danzo and Orochimaru’s plan to weaken Konoha in exchange for Sand Village’s financial recovery and a future alliance.
• Orochimaru revealed that he cared little about the plan and wanted Hiruzen to die gloriously in a war rather than on a sickbed.
• Gawain warned Kakashi that the Land of Waves bridge mission could involve Zabuza and ordered him to attempt to capture Zabuza and his Ice Release partner alive, with Asuma as support.
• Gawain told Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura that the mission had been secretly raised to S-rank, while Kakashi led them out to prepare.
• Hiruzen asked Gawain to accept Sand Village’s offer to co-host the Chūnin Exams and serve as commander of the jōnin corps when Konoha’s jōnin gathered.
• Gawain accepted both arrangements and looked toward the distant sky.

Gawain took Haku into his service and accepted teams for the upcoming Chunin Exams while Hiruzen prepared to make him leader of the Jonin Council. Hiruzen explained that the council leader had traditionally been considered the leading candidate to become the next Hokage.

• Kakashi and Asuma brought Zabuza and Haku to Gawain, who sent Zabuza to prison and offered Haku a place at his side in exchange for Zabuza's safety.
• Gawain told Hiruzen he planned to recruit Haku and other outsiders for his Shadow Guard, and Hiruzen agreed while urging him to convene the Jonin Council and prepare the Chunin Exams.
• Asuma and Kakashi submitted their teams' Chunin Exam forms, and Gawain approved their participation along with Kurenai Yuhi's team.
• Hiruzen explained how Tobirama Senju had used the Jonin Council to undermine Madara Uchiha's bid for Hokage and establish the council leader as the leading successor.

Naruto and the other young shinobi trained for the Chūnin Exams, where Jiraiya warned them that the Sand shinobi would enter their jinchuriki. A week later, Koharu questioned the decision to admit the Sand shinobi, and Hiruzen explained that Konoha needed to demonstrate its strength to the other villages.

• Naruto and eight other children practiced water walking under Jiraiya, with Sakura learning first and Naruto ranking sixth.
• Might Guy arrived with Neji, Rock Lee, and another student, and Jiraiya invited them to join the training.
• Neji glared at Hinata and Naruto, while Naruto became angry at Neji's contempt for Hinata.
• Jiraiya told the children that the Sand shinobi would enter their jinchuriki in the Chūnin Exams and urged them to prepare.
• A week later, Koharu asked Gawain and Hiruzen why Konoha had agreed to let the Sand jinchuriki attend the exams.
• Hiruzen told Koharu that Konoha needed to show the other villages that it remained strong.